Page 54 of Love and Other Goals

Amaya cocks her head to one side. “So, do you see things heading that way with Mateo? I mean, casual isn’t a word I’d use to describe you two,” she adds with one eyebrow raised.

Teegan’s eyes bore through mine waiting for my response. I chew my lip and answer, “Yeah? It’s weird because two months ago I was so certain that my future was with Aaron. But after spending the past eight weeks with Mateo,” I pause, looking up at the ceiling. “I have a hard time imagining not being with him. It makes my chest hurt to even think about it.”

Amaya is nodding encouragement, and Teegan is grinning wildly at me, which makes me laugh. “I guess I just have to wait and see if Mateo is on the same page.”

Teegan rolls her eyes. “LaLa, we all know that Mateo has been pages ahead of you this whole time. I don’t think this is a mystery novel with a twist ending.”

Amaya swats at her. “Okay, okay, even if that’s the case, Lana still needs to guard her heart a little bit. We can’t get ahead of ourselves and her wind up more hurt than she needs to be if there is a twist coming.”

I groan and lean my head back, “Let’s change the subject now pleeeeeease.”

Clearing her throat, Teegan speaks up. “Well, if we’re talking about twists, I might have one regarding my own future.”

I immediately sit up straight, both Amaya and I staring her down. “What kind of twist?”

Teegan fiddles with her blanket. “Well, I’ve always planned on becoming a special education teacher—and I really do love all of my classes and field experiences. So it might still be what I do eventually, or maybe even right away, I’m not saying I’m counting it out altogether.”

“Spit it out, Beef,” Amaya says forcefully.

“Yesterday I met with Kent and Rachel, and they asked me to consider staying here at Townsend and coming on staff with Arrow after I graduate,” Teegan explains.

My brain processes her statement for a quick second before I exclaim, “Teegs, that’s awesome! You know you’d be amazing on staff!”

Teegan looks a little sheepish and says, “I don’t know, I’m a little nervous about it. Of course, I’ve enjoyed being involved as a student and loved my leadership role at the Summer Project this year. But I’m worried I may not be cut out for a full-time staff position, ya know?”

Amaya face palms at the same time as I huff out an exasperated laugh. Amaya speaks up first. “Girl, please. You practically fill the role of a staff person now. Not to mention you’ve been an amazing leader here in AOPi. You’ll nail it.”

I nod my agreement, placing a hand over Teegan’s. “Teegs, you love people so much, and you’re so kind and caring and just draw people in. Not to mention you’re always the life of the party and plan every good social event we ever do. You’re a dream staff candidate—it’s not surprising at all that Kent and Rachel asked you!”

Teegan’s eyes well up as she looks back and forth between us. “You really think so?”

“YES!” Amaya and I simultaneously yell.

“Okay, I haven’t officially decided anything yet,” she says. “I still need to talk it through with my parents and pray about it. But I feel a lot better about seriously considering it, knowing that you two think I’d be good at it. You know me better than anyone.” Her eyes well up again before she whispers, “I don’t know what I would have done without you two in college. And I don’t know what I’m going to do without you with me every day.”

Now all three of us are wiping tears and sniffling noses and hugging each other tightly.

After a few minutes, I sit back and turn to Amaya. “Any life twists from you that we need to know about?”

She scoffs and shakes her head. “Nope. Still planning to take over Kansas City one company at a time,” she says with a confident grin. “Just have to figure out where to start.”

I don’t doubt her for a minute.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

The weekend after Halloween, I’ve already planned to go home to Kansas City. It’s my sister’s homecoming, so I want to go watch her dance team perform at halftime and see her all dressed up for the dance on Saturday. I’ve been looking forward to it all semester.

When Friday rolls around, I have mixed feelings: the excitement of going home, alongside the reluctance to leave and miss out on spending time with Mateo. We see each other in as many snippets as possible during the week, but between my commitments and his soccer schedule, weekends provide the best opportunity for us to be together.

My mom has big feelings about me driving home before it’s dark, so I have to leave mid-afternoon while Mateo is still at practice. Since I won’t be able to see him before I go, I decide to pull a page from his book and leave a note on his truck again.

Mateo –

I know I’ll see you in just a few days, but I’m still feeling sad to miss out on the soccer match and hanging out with the team or just you or whatever we would do if I was here. I’ve gotten used to spending every weekend with you, so it sort of feels like I’m entering a twilight zone as I drive away from you. And now I’ve become the sappy girl saying “I already miss you” before I leave, but it’s true…I already miss you. Have fun this weekend, but miss me too, ok?

Hugs (as in, literally I want to hug you),

Lana

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